Iranians Hold Nationwide Rallies to Denounce Foreign Intervention and Unrest

Iranian officials have characterized the ongoing unrest as a "terrorist war" orchestrated by the United States and Israel. President Masoud Pezeshkian, while acknowledging the legitimacy of economic grievances, warned that the nation must not allow "rioters and terrorists" to destabilize society. He accused foreign powers of training saboteurs to exploit the situation for political gain.

The demonstrations come amidst a near-total internet blackout and rising tensions with Washington. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has maintained a defiant stance, asserting that the government will not back down in the face of "vandals" seeking to please foreign leaders. Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that any U.S. military intervention would make American bases and assets in the region legitimate targets for retaliation.